Leishmania

Question 1

What type of parasite is Leishmania: (location)

Answer 1

Intracellular parasite - in macrophages

Question 2

What are the vectors of Leishmania: (2)

Answer 2

Sandflies
1. Phlebotomus sp.
2. Lutzomyia sp.

Question 3

What are the 3 forms of Leishmania:

Answer 3

1. Skin form
2. Mucocutaneus form
3. Visceral form

Question 4

What are names of the skin form of Leishmania: (4)

Answer 4

• L. tropica minor = Dry skin form H: Rodents, dogs v: Phlebotomus spp.
• L. tropica major = Wet skin form H: Rodents, dogs v. Phlebotomus spp.
• L. peruviana = H: Dogs v: Lutzomyia spp. (Peru)
• L. mexicana complex = H: Rodents v: Lutzomyia spp.

Question 5

What are the name of the Mucocutaneous form of Leishmania: (1)

Answer 5

L. brasiliensis complex = D: Espundia H: Rodents v: lutzomyia spp.

Question 6

What are the names of the Visceral form of Leishmania: (3)

Answer 6

• L. donovani = D: Kala-azar H: Dog, fox v: Phlebotomus spp.
• L. donovani infantum = H: kids, dogs v: Phlebotomus spp.
• L. chagasi = H: fox, dog v: Phlebotomus spp.

Question 7

What does Leishmania effect:

Answer 7

• Damage to CNS
• Hyperplasia of cells
• Damage to skin, mucosa and internal organs

Question 8

Describe the Life cycle of Leishmania:

Answer 8

In the vector:
1. Vector (sandflies/midges) ingest blood from infected host, it ingests macrophages infected with Amastigotes
2. They then transform into Promastigote in the vectors midgut and multiply by Binary fission and travel to pharynx
3. Next time the vector feeds it injects promastigote into the host

In the host:
1. Promastigote enter the blood of host and enter macrophages
2. In the macrophages they transform into Amastigotes and multiply by Binary fission
3. Here either the infected macrophage is ingested by a new vector or it ruptures infection other macrophages and accumulate in visceral organs, skin or mucosa and cause damage
-Visceral: Kala-azar
-Skin: Oriental sore
-Mucosa: Espundia

Question 9

What are the diagnostic methods of Leishmania:

Answer 9

1. Cytology (FNA- see amastigotes in cytoplasma of macrophages)
2. Biological experiments
3. Intradermal test (skin form)
4. Serology
5. PCR

Question 10

What are the clinical signs in dogs:

Answer 10

• Alopecia and blepharitis
• Ulcerative nasal mucocutaneous lesions
• Papular dermatitis
• Ulcerative lesions on the plantar surface of the paw
• Onuchogryphosis
• Epistaxis
• Uveitis
• Purulent conjunctivitis
• Popliteal lymphadenomegaly
• Cachexia-chronic renal failure